It was great interning at GAA for the past
three months. It was a nice bridge between graduate school and
full-time employment. I definitely gained valuable experience and
learned about a policy area in which I knew relatively little. Susanne
and Michelle were supportive and a delight to work with.

Rebecca Richman (August -
December 2010), from the US

My internship at GAA was an experience that
enhanced my understanding of how NGO’s work at the UN and also about
older persons’ human rights. It was a great experience to contribute to
GAA’s widely read website and know that professionals and individuals
all over the world read them. Because I am interested specifically in
older women’s human rights, it was an especially enriching to be part
of the process leading to the passage of the CEDAW Recommendation on
Older Women’s Human Rights that took place during my time at GAA.

Núria Ferragutcasas
(May - December 2010), from Spain

Being an intern at Global Action on Aging is a
unique experience in my life. I am so glad that I worked with such a
young and energetic team on global aging issues. At GAA, I learned how
to view the aging problems from historical and political perspectives.
GAA also offered me the invaluable opportunities to exchange thoughts
about my future career plan with other interns and UN personnel.

Faisal Sukkar (September -
December 2010), from Saudi Arabia

Interning at Global Action on Aging
enlightened me on a topic that is often overlooked in our world today.
Growing up in the Middle East, strong family values protected almost
all the elderly from growing old alone; but what about those who
weren't lucky enough to enjoy that privilege? Global Action on Aging
gave us the tools and the environment to research these issues to
better understand different cultures and their view of older persons.
All this gives us a better idea as to how to better help older
persons.

On a more personal level, it gave me the perfect transition from
college into the real world. Working with such an intelligent, diverse
and kind group made me enjoy every second while learning about many
different cultures. Not only did I gain, but I also gave back while
doing what I enjoyed... filming. GAA gave me the freedom to contribute
my personal ideas to help the organization grow to better serve the
aging population of this world now and in the future.

Ji Yuan (August - December
2010), from China

Being an intern at Global Action on Aging was
a unique experience in my life. I am so glad that I worked with such a
young and energetic team on global aging issues. At GAA, I learned how
to view the aging problems from both an historical and political
perspective. GAA also offered me invaluable opportunities to exchange
thoughts about my future career plans with other interns, staff and UN
personnel.

Anna Viver (June - September
2010), from Russia

Global Action on Aging offered me a great
experience and an opportunity to grow both personally and
professionally. During my internship I acquired the critical and
constructive view at governments and societies’ attitude towards rights
and needs of elder people, ability to look at the world and life from
the prospective of elder persons, and self-confidence. In addition I
had a chance to work on developing my writing and technical skills.

I leave this job with great appreciation of
the working environment at GAA and especially people and tasks that
create this environment: daily communication with Susanne Paul and
interns, helpful and friendly attitude, open discussions on a variety
of global issues and every day learning experience. I would like to
especially emphasize understanding and respect that staff and interns
express to each other.

This internship works with interns’
individualities: their interests, needs and skills. I believe this is
the main reason why interns find it exciting and helpful experience.
Working at GAA develops analytical skills, contributes to a more
profound understanding of a critical need for social justice.
Therefore, it is also a challenging experience, but I believe that
challenge is what makes a personality grow.

Ghadeer Hasan (May - August
2010), from Palestine

I had a wonderful experience interning at
GAA. Although my initial knowledge about aging was very limited, this
internship opened my eyes to issues surrounding older persons that have
become very important to me. I enjoyed getting to know the other
interns and working within the very diverse atmosphere of the United
Nations. I want to thank Susanne for being very supportive and engaging
throughout my experience at GAA and am very grateful to her for
everything that I learned.

Chu Zhang (May - August 2010), from China

Working in GAA is exceptional experience for
me in terms of professional career building and personal development. I
enjoyed working on the very topic and felt grateful for what GAA has
taught me: dedication, professionalism, wisdom, empathy, and
perseverance.

Anastasia Maleshev
(February-May 2010), from Russia

I started working with Global Action on Aging
as the Russian Intern in February 2010 – one of the best decisions I
have ever made. I am very thankful for this wonderful opportunity of
working for such an amazing organization. When I first started at GAA,
the team was very welcoming and open. The relaxing atmosphere in the
office has made my work enjoyable and fulfilling. I am proud to be a
part of GAA and am glad that there is an organization out there that is
fighting for the rights of our elderly. I especially thank Magali and
Susanne for giving me a chance to grow as a person while working with
Global Action on Aging. To me this experience is priceless and I will
always keep GAA in my heart.

Fabianne Blake (February-May
2010), from Trinidad and Tobago

Older people are not always identified as a
valuable, but vulnerable, population. I have gained some knowledge at
GAA that I hope makes me more sensitive to the issues that affect older
people. This is important for me personally as I will have to care for
my parents and aunts and uncles in the future and will likely care for
older persons professionally. Older people are part of the society;
their well- being and development are an integral part of a society’s
development.

Vivian Rodriguez (January-May
2010), from Cuba

Being an intern at GAA was an amazing
experience. I had the opportunity to learn not only from staff but also
from my fellow interns. I found this enlightening and incredibly
rewarding. Being immersed in the UN community served gave me a
first-hand view of how issues are handled and dealt with on a global
stage. I will undoubtedly take the skills I have gained and apply them
in my future endeavors.

Isabella Dueñas
(December 2009-April 2010) from Ecuador

I had a great time working at GAA! It was my
first time working with rights of older persons and I must admit that
it was a very eye-opening and rewarding experience. As part of my job,
I was in charge of researching aging issues for the Spanish section of
the website and it was a wonderful surprise to find out that many Latin
American countries are doing an amazing job in protecting and helping
their older population.

I loved every part of the internship! Meeting the retirees from CWA
1180 and being able to teach them about their rights, meeting elderly
rights activists and learning about their work, attending interesting
meetings and events organized by GAA and other NGOs, and most of all
working with an amazing team of interns from all over the world, and of
course, Magali and Susanne who with their hard work and smiles keep GAA
running.

Thank you for everything and I will miss you all!

Cindy Le Helley (September
2009-April 2010), from France

I’ve spent eight amazing months at GAA,
thanks to the opportunity that Susanne and Magali gave me.

This experience allowed me to learn so many things, about the UN, the
non-profit world and the functioning of an NGO... This knowledge and
the networking lunches with UN staffs really helped me to choose my
future studies and direct my professional career.

I also got to learn so much about order persons’ issues in the US as
well as all around the world. This internship really opened my eyes on
the need to raise the awareness about those issues and I was very glad
to be part of the movement toward a Convention for older persons.

I worked at GAA as a full-time intern, mainly in charge of the French
section, but I also got to do a large variety of tasks. During this
experience, I have acquired many skills, especially related to the
website and I had a chance to discover all the aspects of an NGO:
management, communication, fundraising.. It was really interesting and
I’m sure that it will be useful to me in the future.

Finally, during those 8 months, I got to meet and know extraordinary
persons: Magali and Susanne, who were very welcoming and made the
atmosphere at GAA very convivial, but also engaging retirees who
attended to our seminars. And of course, the other interns, from all
around the world, thanks to whom I learned a lot and had plenty of
great time at the office and outside. I know for sure that I will keep
contact with many of them!

Thank you all for this great experience!

Denis Chikunov (September 2009 – February
2010), from Russia

I had a wonderful experience at GAA! It was
my first experience with the UN; it will help me further my career,
especially, if I pursue the path of diplomacy.

By working with GAA, I was able to attend interesting meetings at the
UN and with NGOs, to meet new and extraordinary people like Magali and
Susanne, and carry out unique research on aging in Russian-speaking
countries. I really liked the international flavor of my program as I
was working with people from different countries and backgrounds. Being
myself from Russia, I felt that I had a lot in common with these people
and could contribute to the group with ideas related to my
background.

I also liked the fact that I was able to apply my knowledge from the
Russian Studies program that I am currently pursuing at NYU. With this
knowledge, I researched many interesting articles in Russian. I took a
radical stance on them in my blurbs, calling on people to act on aging
issues. Of course, I gave engaging presentations to different
audiences.

Thanks to everyone working with me! It was fun!

Martiria Monteiro
(July-December 2009), from Cape Verde

My internship experience at
GAA has been superb. I came to GAA not knowing much about aging or the
work of NGOs, but today I am leaving as a much more knowledgeable
person, not just on the work that I do but of the world in
general.

Prior to my arrival at GAA, I didn't pay much attention to issues like
Human Rights, Social Inclusion or Participation in Society. There were
topics that opened up my eyes and helped me look at life in a different
light.

Working at GAA was an absolute pleasure. I met a lot of diverse and
wonderful people who helped make my experience an amazing one. I
learned many new sklls and took part in this wonderful movement toward
a treaty or convention on the rights of older persons.

I will forever be thankful to Susanne and Magali for giving me this
wonderful opportunity. And although my internship at GAA has come to a
close, my relationship with GAA will live on far beyond this date.

Veronica Lewis (September –
December 2009), from the US and Iran

When I was a
child, I used to love when my grandparents would come from Iran to
visit us. I knew that they would serenade us with stories and much
laughter. There is a saying in Farsi that translates, “I’ve ripped more
shirts than you,” which means that those with more life experiences
possess more wisdom. In turn, the culture has taught us from a young
age to respect our elders and the older the person, the more respect. I
brought this background to my work at Global Action on Aging, where my
respect and advocacy for older persons only grew.

Before I began as a GAA intern, I always respected elderly persons. But
working here has opened my eyes and allowed me to view elderly persons
in a different light. Oftentimes, people assume that a major divide
exists between old and young. However, I learned that if we look
closely, we will find many things on which we can agree. In addition, I
know there is much we can learn from one another. I have given up my
seats on the subway for older persons, opened doors for older persons
and even engaged in random, friendly conversations with older persons
who just wanted someone with whom they could converse. I might have
overlooked such discussions prior to my internship at GAA.

What I like
the best about my work is that there is meaning behind it. I feel that
every task we conduct carries meaning, even if it’s not apparent. Our
intern work contributes to GAA’s mission. We are advocating for older
people worldwide—which I value the most among our efforts. I have
learned much at GAA and know that I will carry these lessons with me
long after my internship has ended. These lessons will continue to
influence new endeavors and future relationships with older persons.

Galina Lapadatova (August-December 2009), from Bulgaria

Working at Global Action on Aging has
rewarded me with an extraordinary experience. Three months I spent here
went by too fast.

Interning at GAA has allowed me to learn about ageing issues around the
world and about some promising steps towards creating a society for all
ages. Also, I became familiar with the work of NGOs and the
collaboration between NGOs and the UN in protecting human rights.

Thanks to Susanne and Magali we were able to meet people from other
NGOs and international organizations who gave us very useful advice for
our future professional careers.

Working in a multicultural environment gave me the chance to enrich my
cultural experience and create many great friendships.

I would like to thank Susanne and Magali for giving me the opportunity
to join the amazing team at Global Action on Aging.

Ludivine Gendre (Summer
2009), from France

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” that is
what I have been told and I guess I had a lot of fun here!

I came in New York three months ago and started my GAA internship away.
I learned a lot on aging issues. I got the chance to discover the UN
while I was working here. I must say that this professional experience
was very rewarding.

I decided to work at GAA after reading the Interns’ Voice on the
website. The atmosphere here sounded very nice and I can report that it
has been even better than I thought! Here at GAA, everybody is free to
organize his time and tasks as he feels like. Magali and Susanne rely
on us and trust us. I felt I had a lot of responsibilities.

GAA is gathering interns from all over the world. Working here teaches
us a lot about other countries and cultural diversities. It was always
nice to take our lunch breaks all together in the UNICEF courtyard or
at the UN cafeteria, chatting about our lives!

The only thing I would say in conclusion: Come to New York, come to GAA
and welcome to a wonderful life!

Cyrus Jalai (Summer 2009),
from Canada and the US

GAA isn’t so much an NGO, but a real family.
And as clichéd as this sounds, it’s true. I met so many
interesting and diverse people, each making me more interesting in
their cultures and in the way that they live their lives. That’s a
truly unique experience brought to me by GAA, so thank you.

To be frank, working with GAA has been an
honor. All of the interns here really make the time fly. I’ve learned
immeasurably from the first day that I arrived here, right up to my
last day. I was happy to have been entrusted and given so much
responsibility from an organization like GAA – I’m very thankful they
put their trust and confidence in me!

I’d like to thank, in particular, Magali and Susanne, for all their
hard work all year round and for everything that they do to promote
awareness to the issue.

Thank you for the support during my internship!

Lucie Perrier (Summer 2009),
from France

My internship at GAA has gone very quickly and
it was a great experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn a lot
about aging issues and computer skills throughout these weeks. It
helped me improve my English a great deal, hone my translation
abilities but especially to practice my research skills. It gave me a
global idea of what the UN is, how it collaborates with NGOs and how
useful this collaboration is to promote peace throughout the
world.

I would like to thank all the interns from all around the world who
made this internship very special to me. But also a special thanks to
Susanne and Magali who gave me this opportunity.

Yini Qiu (Summer 2009), from
China

I came to NYC because of the GAA internship
position. As I leave, I have fulfillment in my heart because things
happened here that were so unexpected.

On one hand, I learned a lot about aging issues--from the regional
policies to international protocols. I am proud of that. On the other
hand, GAA gave me many responsibilities. I feel that I am really
helpful and give support to the organization. I have been learning from
GAA, and GAA needed me to make a difference.

I have a sense of belonging to the organization, to the office and to
my fellow co-workers. This is true and unbelievable---that an intern
would have these feelings just after one and a half months. I do feel
amazed. And what cannot be denied is the charm of GAA.

Jacqueline Foelster
(January-August 2009), USA

Interning at Global Action on Aging has
allowed me to define what an exemplary working experience is. Not only
is it a portal for interns to learn about the aging field, it is also a
gateway to observe the United Nations in action as GAA is one of the
few aging organizations to propel the creation of a Convention to
Protect the Rights of Older Persons.

I certainly saw the value of my contribution throughout my time with
GAA, which is one of the reasons I agreed to extend my internship by 3
months. Its intimate staff gave me the opportunity to develop any skill
I wished to sharpen, from translating to managing its website to
networking with important stakeholders in the aging field, and the list
is not exhaustive.

To top it all off, GAA has a magnetic talent for attracting very
brilliant young and older individuals to the team. It has been a
pleasure working with Susanne, Magali, and my co-interns, many of whom
I plan to keep in touch with for years to come!

Emily
Wargo (June-August, 2009), from the US

My time at GAA has been a truly enriching and
rewarding experience. From my first day in the office I felt that my
work was wholly appreciated by all of the employees. The camaraderie of
the office staff truly makes progress on the topic of older persons’
rights possible. Everyone works together effectively and seamlessly but
in a very powerful and influential way. I was extremely impressed and
satisfied with the work environment at GAA and the productivity which
it encourages.

The research constantly changed, providing me with new inspiration for
my tasks. The continuously evolving plight of older persons worldwide
made each day in the office unique and fresh. Being given the
opportunity to contribute to such a crucial problem during a historic
global financial crisis has sparked my awareness in international
issues. I will continue to stay abreast of these critical issues long
after my days in GAA’s New York office have come to a close.

Ye
Wang (May-July 2009), from China

It was like yesterday when I first came into
the GAA office. How time flies! During these two and a half months, I
worked with interns from all over the world who spoke many languages
and had such interesting backgrounds. I think I will benefit from this
unique experience for a very, very long time. Most importantly, the GAA
internship gave me a great opportunity to do intensive research on an
important topic—aging. I came into the office knowing nothing about
aging. Now I am nearly an expert, not only Chinese aging policies but
also on aging issues across the globe. I am even thinking about
pursuing a doctoral degree on aging. Life is really like a box a
chocolate. You never know what is waiting for us to taste. I appreciate
Susanne and Magali’s patience and guidance. I treasure the great time I
have had with my friends who speak French, Spanish, Arabic, English,
and Chinese! I am coming back someday. Until then, I will be missing
all of you!

Timothee
Grenez
(April-June
2009),
from
France

It was a pleasure to work at GAA and meet this
great team. I learned so many things about the rights of older persons
and the work of NGOs at the UN.

Working in this area was exciting and I was very glad to assist at
conferences and have the opportunity to meet such influential people.
It was also a pleasure to be entrusted with such responsibilities and I
feel as though I accomplished many things. I think that it was a great
experience which allowed me to mature as a person. Thank you to Magali
and Susanne for their work and support, and thank you to GAA for
everything.

Myriam
Lacroix (February-June 2009), from France

During this Internship, I met a lot of nice,
interesting and lovely people from all over the world. I made a lot of
new friends and I already miss them. I learned many things about
different cultures and countries, and lunch breaks were always marked
by a roar of laughter. It is a gift I will never forget.

During my work with GAA, I was able to gain insight into the work of an
NGO.
I improved my computer, communication and writing skills, as well as my
research techniques. I organized seminars and went to various UN
conferences. I learned more in five months than I might have
expected.

I thank all of the interns who made this internship unforgettable. A
special thanks to Magali and Susanne too, for their work, patience,
support, and confidence in the interns, as well as for giving me this
wonderful opportunity to work with GAA. The experience was truly
rewarding!

Marya
Hannun (April-June 2009), from the US and Lebanon

My internship with GAA was an incredible and
rewarding experience! The people in the office were so friendly and
knowledgeable, and there is truly a sense of teamwork and commitment. I
learned so much about aging and the status of older people, not only in
the Middle East, but all around the world. Participating in the
seminars and talking to older people about the problems they face, made
me more aware of the issues plaguing older people everyday. It was
wonderful to be part of an environment that is serious and dedicated
but at the same time, a really fun place to be. By maintaining a sense
of warmth and friendliness, GAA really emphasizes the human aspect of
human rights, and that is something I will take with me into all of my
future endeavors.

Natalia Rojas
(Winter-Spring
2009),
from
the
US

Global
Action on Aging is an excellent organization for anyone looking for a
challenge and who wants to contribute to a meaningful and productive
organization. From day one, I was deeply engaged and involved in
research and projects that bring important information to people who
are fighting everyday to protect the rights and improve all aspects of
lives for older persons. My tasks were substantive and I felt that my
contributions were deeply appreciated.

Never have I experienced a work environment so welcoming and filled
with such enlightening, cooperative and inspiring individuals. This
spirit of supportiveness and vibrancy illustrates how GAA is more than
just a workplace but is really a family. I will always be grateful for
having been given this opportunity as my internship with GAA has truly
helped shape my life interests and post-college ambitions.

Weijia
Liu (Winter 2009), from China

A truly unique experience at GAA!!!
I learned and I grew; I got to write and I got to talk.
I met diplomats and I spoke with NGOs.
I made mistakes but I made more progress.

Susanne and Magali were encouraging and appreciative and the other
interns were very helpful. Work in the office was pleasant. Lunches and
all get-togethers outside the office were too much fun to forget
too.

Three months went short and fast, but were
filled with laughter and love.
And, I became more interested in Bollywood because of my Indian friend,
I was taught the Salsa dance by my Spanish friend, I got introduced to
Egypt and the Middle East by my Egyptian friend, I laughed out loudly
at French movies with my French friend, And last but not least, I am
going to visit Cambodia and be guided by my Cambodian friend some day
soon!

THANK YOU all, GAA team, let's keep in touch
!!!

Crystal
Gonzalez
(Winter
2009),
from
the US

I am honored to
have interned with Global Action on Aging during my last semester in
school. This position gave me a new light to look on the world,
especially older persons. I came not knowing much about NGO’s and the
UN and I leave with much more working knowledge. I learned new things
almost everyday, thanks to the diverse group of GAA interns, my access
to the UN, and the chance to meet people from around the world. I
couldn’t have asked for a better place to work as an international
business major. I take many memories with me. I made great friends here
that I hope to keep for years to come. I learned much more than I
expected. I thank Magali and Susanne for this amazing opportunity to
grow as a person and as a professional at GAA.

Hager
Youssef (Fall 2008 - Winter 2009) from the US and Egypt

My experience at GAA was educational,
challenging and rewarding. I learned so much about the rights of older
persons and the UN structure. The GAA office, directly across the UN,
was at an inspirational location. I interacted with other NGOs and
discussed the various peace projects they undertook.

The amazing group of people at the office make it a friendly and
comfortable environment to grow and explore challenging topics. I would
like to thank all of my colleagues for their enthusiastic and fun
spirits. It was a pleasure to get to work along their side.
I will always remember GAA and cherish the experience.

Menghan
Shen,
(Winter
2009),
from
China

Working at GAA during my college’s
Christmas/New Year holiday was a rewarding opportunity. I learned a lot
from working at NGO. Susanne inspired me to think about aging issues
from a different perspective. Magali influenced me with her organized
and detail-oriented working style. Further, I had the chance to read
extensively on issues I care about. In addition, I had fun meeting my
co-interns, Crystal, Maria and Jerry. I lived a healthy life style and
enjoyed New York City to the fullest extent.

Maria
C. Rhor, (Fall 2008), from the US and Ecuador

My internship with GAA was everything I had
hoped it would be and even more! From my first day until the last I
felt the office was my second home. I got to meet and work with some
wonderful people that made my experience truly rewarding. During my
internship with GAA I was responsible for conducting research and
summarizing reports and news articles written in Spanish about aging
issues in Spanish-speaking countries. I enjoyed and was challenged and
excited to translate GAA letters and materials coming and going from
Latin American diplomats and aging organizations. Towards the end of my
internship, I was in charge of creating the front page for the GAA
website. To know that I was part of a team that updated this
widely-read website each week was very gratifying. Being part of an NGO
and working at the United Nations was more than I could have imagined.
A special thanks to Susanne and Magali for their hard work, patience,
support, and for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

Stuart
Wilson, (Fall 2008), from the United Kingdom

My four months at Global Action on Aging was a
very positive experience. When you arrive in the office overlooking the
United Nations Headquarters and the east river in Manhattan, there is a
friendly and cooperative atmosphere as well as the sense that you are
close to the world’s largest peace promoting institution. The work is
challenging and involves a steep learning curve about the process of
publishing two newsletters and an updated website every week. I
appreciated the responsibility of issuing the newsletter every Friday
as well as the chance to research articles on the issues facing older
people in many countries around the world. The opportunity to see how
an NGO works with other NGOs and interacts with the UN was a unique
experience. Most of all I enjoyed working with the people at GAA and I
would like to thank Sophie from Germany, Sara from the US, Maria from
Ecuador, Natalie from France, Jerry from China and Hager from Egypt for
the laughter and learning. Finally a special thanks to Susanne and
Magali for giving me this opportunity.

Thomas
Howie, (Summer 2008), from the United Kingdom

My time at GAA was a truly
rewarding one. There are many aspects to the job at GAA. One example
was my special task, which was to organize a seminar on a UN action
plan known as the Madrid Internal Plan of Action on Aging (MIPAA). I
was handed full responsibility for organizing the content and worked
with the team of interns to deliver the seminar to a group of 20 or
more retirees from New York City. At first I was a little daunted by
the task. However, the people I worked with at GAA were fantastic at
supporting and advising me. Everyone wanted to do a good job. That is
the best thing about GAA. Everyone there is really committed to doing
both their job and teaching interns, like me, new skills. I have gained
new skills, experience and most importantly the confidence to succeed.

Pauline Ang,
(March-September 2008), from Singapore

Being part of the GAA team has been a truly
amazing experience. Although I was an off site intern, I had constant
support from GAA and there was always someone with whom I could
correspond when I needed help and advice. GAA is doing a great work in
promoting the cause of the elderly worldwide and I am really glad I
could contribute to their worthy cause!

Rassil
Ghazzaoui, (July 2008), from Lebanon

In a few words, I had the time of my life! To
begin with, when I was not working in GAA I was out in THE City
enjoying its sights, strolling down the avenues and gazing at its
breathtaking lights. Returning to my life in the office, I must say
that the team members in GAA made my stay so much fun and so enriching.
The things I learned in my short stay were more than I might have
expected to learn in a significantly longer period in a different place.

Like the rest of the interns, I improved my
computer skills, communication skills, writing capacities and of course
research techniques. As GAA was the first working experience in my
life, I thoroughly enjoyed the responsibilities, the time management,
the organization of tasks and most of all the discipline that a work
life entails.

In addition, the fact that we were so close to
the UN (especially the office view) and its workings, and had the use
of a personal pass to enter the UN headquarters for conferences etc,
had a big impact on me. To have an inside peek at one of the world’s
largest organizations and knowing the various issues the nations of the
world are currently facing, was overwhelming, but at the same time very
informative, both for my knowledge and my future.

Now, I fondly remember Global Action on Aging
as my first step in real life and as a basis for future academic
achievements.

Thank you, Merci and Shoukran to all the
interns and to Susanne and Magali for this wonderful opportunity.

Arion
Blas, (Summer 2008), from the Philippines

"My most memorable experience with GAA was
listening in during the roundtable discussion on long term care with
Senator Capri Cafaro of Ohio. In those three hours, I learned how
conflicting parties negotiate and lobby for their interest. It was also
the day when all the GAA interns enjoyed cookies and brownies over
coffee and cola in the office.

My seven weeks of internship has been
characterized by intense learning. I was exposed to a myriad of ageing
issues that affect everyone, not only the elderly. From horrific
reports of abuse to heart warming stories of everyday people, each
article I read and posted helped me understand the enormity of the
challenge we are facing today.

Yet amidst all the work, I have found great
friends in the other interns and the staff. Our lunch breaks became a
time to relax as we enjoyed French fries, brownies and ice cream.
Meeting diplomats and people from the UN was truly amazing - their
humility was inspiring. Perhaps it was in these little moments that
made joining GAA truly worth my while. I am really thankful to Susanne
and Magali for giving me this opportunity."

Tina
Malguth,
(March-July
2008),
from
Germany

"I still remember my first day with GAA, now 5
months ago. It is crazy how fast the time flew – a good sign that I
enjoyed my stay here in New York very much. I met a lot of nice,
interesting and lovely people from all over the world. I made a lot of
new friends in the City never sleeps and I already miss them. That
opportunity to learn many things about different cultures and countries
is a gift I will never forget. During my work with GAA, I got different
insights into the work of an international non-governmental
organization. I did a lot of research; I improved my computer skills a
lot; we organized seminars and went to UN conferences. I visited
different Country Missions, wrote articles, did statistics and
analyses. I got insight into fundraising programs, and I visited
nursing homes. I also gained insight into the work of the United
Nations. Now I can understand the system of the highest world body much
more. I thank all Interns who made this internship unforgettable and,
of course Magali and Susanne, who gave me the opportunity to work with
GAA and placed high confidence in me!"

Vivian
Lau (Spring 2008), from California, US

"As a student, GAA has allowed me to obtain a
more in-depth perspective of the UN, the lesser known governing body of
the world. The availability of the UN also opens up so many doors. It’s
a dream come true for any student to be able to sit next to professors
and delegates from different countries to hear about pressing issues
such as the crisis on Myanmar and the current food crisis. The UN is a
ready source of information.

As a person, I have been privileged to meet
the most diverse and down-to-earth group of people at GAA and the UN.
The people who work here are average citizens who care. It’s refreshing
to see that these individuals all want to make a difference in the
world, no matter how big or small. It’s good to know that deep down
inside, their intentions are pure."

Clara
Dufresne (September 2007- May 2008), from France

"Who would think of an internship where you
get to fix the printer, water the plants, dig deep into complicated and
interesting research about current international issues like pension
and organize a diplomatic reception at the same time?

GAA, a small and active organization, relies
on interns to accomplish all of that. Managed by both the president and
the program coordinator, interns have a lot to do to build GAA’s office
life.

My nine months in Global Action on Aging have
been an interesting experience, in a very nice environment. I learned a
lot about computer skills and the United Nations system and how the
different agencies work together. This internship was also a good
opportunity for me to think about my career plans and the possibilities
of working for an international organization or a Non Governmental
Organization.

I thank all my colleagues on site
(Eddie-Julie-Elena-Vivian-Newell-Tina and of course both Magali and
Susanne) for their patience, smile and hard work. You have made this
experience unforgettable!"

Van Anh Nguyen (Winter 2008),
from Vietnam

"Even though a three-month period is not a
long time, my internship with GAA certainly forms a significant part in
my life experience. I’ve long been eager to pursue a career in the
field of international health, however this internship is the first
time I got involved in research and learned about the real situation.
Working for GAA helped me improving my independent research skills
considerably. All the knowledge I gained invigorates my determination
to work towards a better and healthier life for everyone. It was a pity
that I could not work in the GAA office and interact with GAA staff and
other interns, as well as attend several events. Nonetheless, I could
feel the atmosphere from thousands of kilometers away, thanks to the
supportiveness and helpfulness of everyone at GAA, especially Susanne
Paul and Magali Girod. So, once again, thank you GAA for giving me this
marvelous experience, and thank you Susanne and Magali for being so
encouraging and enthusiastic toward me."

Hanna Blyumina (September -
December 2004), from Ukraine

"I can honestly
admit that the experience at GAA happened to be one of the turning
points in my life. The inspiration that I got while working here
coursed lot's of great changes in my life and attitude. The fact that
after coming back to Ukraine I continued to deal with aging issues is
the best manifestation of that. The internship at GAA and great people
that I had pleasure to meet in UN during this time gave me the chance
to work for UNFPA in Ukraine doing a very important work for my
country. The feeling of doing something important is another thing that
I will ever be thankful for to GAA.

Every one who was
lucky to work at GAA enjoyed the special atmosphere of this office.
This atmosphere is created and kept through years by our highly
respected and beloved president, Susanne Paul. She adores every single
intern helping to realize all his or her talents. Along with knowledge
about aging issues, people master their English here, gain computer
skills, learn to talk to VIPs, make presentations, visit a lot of UN
events , and many more exiting things!

I highly recommend
to good people to join this wonderful team and probably you will not be
able to say good bye to them like me who is being over the Ocean still
in touch and sending articles to GAA website."

Naomi
Osawa
(July
-
November
2004), from Japan

"Interning at
GAA has been one of the best experiences in my life. In addition to
learning about aging issues, I could familize myself with other crucial
international problems by attending a number of international
conferences, such as poverty, women's rights, nuclear proliferation,
and many more. Once I achieve my Bachelor's degree in Political
Science, I am planning to pursue my career as either international
lawyer or human rights advocate."

Lisa
Moore
(Summer
2004),
from
Jamaica

"My
internship at GAA proved an unparalleled learning experience! There is
much to be done at Global Aging and Susanne does a great job of
tailoring the internship to suit everyone's interests. For me the
best parts were the conferences I attended, the projects I worked
on as a part of the GAA team and the surprises that each day
brought. I wish I could do it all over!"

Writing a letter to GAA's President from Japan:
"It's a whole other world here I think, really beautiful and techy and
also very rich in culture. I do miss NYC a lot though and often think
about my time at GAA. I trust that the expansion of the office has gone
well. I will definitely try to visit when next I'm in NYC. Also,
congratulations on the growth of the website! It's really great that
GAA is able to post news in so many different languages..."

Magali
Girod
(October
2003-
June
2004), from France

"My nine-month internship at GAA was
a wonderful experience from start to finish. I learned a lot about
aging issues and computer skills throughout my stay. It helped me a
great deal improve my communication skills especially talking in front
of a crowd. I had a lot of responsibilities and I was able to take
initiatives and implement my ideas to improve the Website. It gave me a
good sense of what the UN is, how it collaborates with the NGO
community and how useful this collaboration is to help the
international community move forward.

GAA also helped me with my career
plan by showing me many existing opportunities in the US and also in
other parts of the world. Thanks to my internship in New York, I met
wonderful people from different origins and made friends for
life."

Nikoo
Nikoomanesh
(2003),
from
the
United States

"My internship
experience at GAA not only allowed me the opportunity to become
acquainted with some of the most cultured, interesting and dedicated
individuals I've ever met, but also gave me practical skills that ended
up being invaluable at my subsequent jobs and now in law school. I
can't think of another position in which I could have met such great
people, learned so much about international and human rights law, and
became familiar with the workings of one of the most relevant
organizations today, the U.N., all while feeling like I was personally
contributing to the improvement of conditions for elderly around the
world."

Gunel
Sultanova
(Summer/fall
2003),
from
Azerbaidjan

"If you are
interested to learn about global aging population and
their concerns, if you care for those caught in conflicts or
affected by political regimes, if you have a lot of ideas and seek
motivation and support - GAA is the best place for you to make a
contribution!

I have spent 6 months with GAA while doing my masters in
International Management and Administration at New York
University. GAA has provided me with a great opportunity to learn
about elderly population and the constraints they are facing,
insights of UN operation principles and other international actors
playing an active role in the global crisis response. I have
improved some of my practical skills in conducting a research and
website operation. GAA has been a place where I was always
welcome, motivated, supported and encouraged! I find my internship
with GAA a valuable experience, a place where your efforts and
contributions are visible and appreciated!"

Andriy
Bega
(Spring
2003),
from
Ukraine

I'm Andriy Bega,
former GAA intern. I am currently working at the International
Centre for Policy Studies in Kyiv, Ukraine. GAA helped me a lot to
know more about the social system in the US, as well as around the
world. Another great thing about GAA was the chance to look at
the work of the UN from the inside and meet various interesting
people.

"After I've
completed my Ph D degree, I participated the UN 2nd World Assembly on
Ageing in Madrid in 2002 where I met Susanne Paul. I started my
internship at GAA in summer of 2002, it was very precious experience to
explore the problems of global ageing. Since then, Susanne has been my
best mentor, who encourages me and inspires me a lot."

Mylène Barra (September
2001-2002), from France

"I came to New
York on September 24, 2001, 13 days after "September 11th", the
terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center. For my family, I was
crazy. For New-Yorkers, I was brave. That's how my nine-month
experience at Global Action on Aging started. I was a twenty-year girl
working to help older persons because " I will get old some day" as I
told them when they asked me why. This experience showed me the reality
of the situation of older persons. They need to be helped like other
persons with difficulties such as persons with disabilities.

When I got
back to France, I graduated and got a diploma of International Action
and Solidarity. Today, I know that I want to work to help the one who
need it and to defend their rights.

I worked for
ten months for the French NGO Handicap International with their
advocacy officer on their campaign to ban landmines and their new
campaign on cluster munitions.
And now, I am looking for a job in an Non Governmental Organization to
continue to help the persons who need it.

"Interning at GAA
for a six-month period really gave me a valuable insight into the
NGO community and UN environment. Susanne Paul was of great
support and made this internship a thrilling and unforgettable
experience!

Internships Allow
Experience with UN, Aging Issues (August 12, 2005)In an interview featured in the most recent edition of
the United Methodist Church 's News publication,
some members of the GAA's summer team along
with
GAA's President Susanne Paul had the opportunity to share
in their experience at GAA, and explain the details of their everyday
work.Interns Stephanie
Oduro,
Priya
Sharma,
Cindy Chin
and Rou Fu, are attracted to GAA for various reasons, and they
come from different places, but often share one thing in common: a
background rich in culture and language. Currently GAA is hosting
interns from different states within the
US , along with
Canada , China
, Taiwan , Japan ,
Russia and the United Arab Emirates .
Many are fluent in one or more of the official languages of the United
Nations-English, French, Arabic, Spanish or Russian.

For more on the interns as
well as GAA's goals and mission as a Non-Governmental Organization in
New York, refer to the article.